Translation guide
The English word 'tall' describes height, but Japanese uses different words for people, buildings, and other objects. The most common word is 高い (takai), which also means 'high' or 'expensive'. For people, 背が高い (se ga takai) is the natural phrase. There are also specific terms for tall buildings, trees, and mountains.
That woman is tall, isn't she?
Can be used for people in simple statements, but 背が高い is more common and clearer. 高い alone can also mean 'expensive' or 'high', so context is important.
Without context, 高い might be interpreted as 'expensive' or 'high' rather than 'tall'.
彼は高い。
He is tall.
A noun meaning 'tall stature'. Often used in formal or written contexts, like describing someone's physical features.
彼は長身だ。
He is tall (in stature).
To say something inanimate is tall or high.
The general word for 'tall/high' for objects. Works for buildings, trees, mountains, walls, etc.
あのビルは高い。
That building is tall.
この木はとても高い。
This tree is very tall.
Means 'high-rise' or 'tall building'. Used as a prefix or in compounds like 高層ビル (high-rise building).
A verb meaning 'to tower' or 'to rise high'. Used for mountains, buildings, etc., often in literary descriptions.
To state a specific height.
Pattern for stating a person's height. 身長 (shinchou) means 'height (of a person)'. Use ある for 'to have' or 'to be'.
彼は身長が180センチある。
He is 180 cm tall.
Pattern for stating the height of an object. 高さ (takasa) means 'height'.
その塔の高さは50メートルある。
The tower is 50 meters tall.
To express something difficult or exaggerated.
Means 'unreasonable order/request', equivalent to 'tall order'.
それは無理な注文だ。
That's a tall order.
Means 'tall tale' or 'exaggerated story'.
彼はほら話ばかりする。
He always tells tall tales.
For people, 背が高い is the natural choice. 高い alone can be ambiguous. For objects, 高い is standard. Note that 高い also means 'expensive', so context is key.
この本は高い。
This book is expensive. (Not 'tall')
Be careful: 高い can mean both 'tall/high' and 'expensive'. If you say このケーキは高い, it means 'This cake is expensive', not 'This cake is tall'.
高層ビルが立ち並んでいる。
Tall buildings stand in a row.
富士山がそびえている。
Mt. Fuji towers (tall).